Harvard Museum of Natural History

The Harvard Museum of Natural History is the university’s most-visited museum, drawing travelers from around the world. Highlights include the Glass Flowers collection, an expansive mineral gallery where visitors can find their birthstone gem, and a paleontology gallery with dinosaurs, including the first Triceratops skull ever discovered. The Great Mammal Hall displays a giraffe, zebra, sloths, lemurs and six whales hanging from the ceiling, and visitors can also see large tigers.

The museum is about an eight-minute walk from the Harvard Square T station through Harvard Yard, and admission also covers the Peabody Museum. Beyond the permanent galleries, it hosts special exhibitions, free lectures, special events, family days and museum classes. It is part of the Harvard Museums of Science & Culture, which work to keep access broad, with more than 40 percent of annual visitors admitted free through community programs.

What to Know

• Massachusetts residents get free admission during set weekly hours with proof of residency.
• Guests with EBT or WIC cards receive free general admission.
• Harvard ID holders enter free with one guest.
• Group visits can be arranged in advance through the reservations office.